A Few Thoughts on the New Mara Jade Bishoujo Statue from Kotobukiya

Kotobukiya has released images of their long-awaited Bishoujo Mara Jade figure today via their Facebook page.  The figure is also currently on display in their booth at New York Comic Con.  While I wish I could be there in person to view the figure, being just shy of nine months pregnant means I’m unfortunately not allowed on a plane to New York.  Thankfully, the photos Kotobukiya provided on their Facebook page give a more than adequate view of the figure’s details.  My review here is based solely on those images.  [Ed: A select few have been reproduced here for this article.]

I should preempt my comments by pointing out what a huge Mara Jade fangirl I am.  The character immediately grabbed my attention back when I first read “Heir to the Empire” in the 90’s.  My obsession led to collecting any Mara merchandise released – which hasn’t been much.  It also led to the slightly more expensive obsession of building an accurate Mara costume.  So yeah – total fangirl.  Needless to say, I have been eagerly waiting for a glimpse of Kotobukiya’s figure ever since the first rumors of it began swirling.  I was delighted to see the photos surface this morning.

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Image from Kotobukiya’s Facebook Page

My overall impression is WOW.  This is what I was hoping for.

The details of the bodysuit are accurate to prior official photos and illustrations of the character.  I especially like that the seams/piping of the bodysuit match up with other resource pictures.  The diagonal piping on the inner thigh is spot-on.  One interesting variation to the bodysuit is the blue color.  The bodysuit is more commonly colored black.  While I don’t dislike this change, and view it as more of a stylistic choice, it is different and of note.

I really like that the figure comes with both her Emperor’s Hand purple lightsaber and Luke Skywalker’s blue lightsaber (Luke’s saber was given to her in the EU novels).  The hilt details are amazing, especially on the Emperor’s Hand hilt.  I love when a prop is reproduced so accurately in miniature.

The costume’s accessories are very well done as well.  It should be noted that there have been several variations on Mara’s accessories in official sources.  For example, her belt holster is sometimes seen on the hip, as with this figure, but it has also been shown to rest along the small of her back.  Another example is that Mara sometimes wears the tan cape depicted in this figure, and other times she sports a cream or white head cowl.  There have also been variations on her blaster and gloves.  There are many directions Kotobukiya could have gone with this figure’s costume.  The version they went with seems to mostly reflect the cover of the comic book “Mara Jade:  By the Emperor’s Hand #1”.  The cape clasp at the figure’s throat reflects this as well.

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Image from Kotobukiya’s Facebook Page

The pose is one that works well for the character.  Instead of an action pose, Kotobukiya seemed to go for more of a natural pose.  I really like how they sculpted the cape and hair to flow.

On a personal note, I am happy with how the figure was designed in a manner that I feel is repectful to the character and her female fans.  Bishoujo means “pretty girl”, and I admit to fearing the figure may be overly girly or sexualized.  This has not proven to be the case.  The only thing this fangirl could nitpick in that regard is the stilletto heels on the boots, but that is fairly minor and doesn’t detract from my appreciation of the overall figure.

I’m very impressed, and thank Kotobukiya for giving us Mara Jade fans a rare, high-quality collectible.  I look forward to ore-ordering mine!